oakvillegreen

December 16, 2009

Today the Halton Regional Council unanimously passed ROPA 38, Halton's proposed new Official Plan that will guide planning in the Region until 2031. The highlight of the plan is a Region-wide, science-based Natural Heritage System (NHS) that encompasses about 36% of Halton's total area. The NHS, which consists of ecologically valuable areas, their buffers and linkages between these areas and other greenspaces (such as Greenbelt lands and river valleys) protect both Halton's agricultural land and it natural heritage for future generations. The Region also made special provisions for the Region's farmers to ensure that farming remains a viable industry into the future. The plan also designates land for future residential and commercial/industrial development. Although all of Halton's environmental groups expressed some concern with the plan, all of them supported the passage of ROPA 38 and look forward to it receiving Ministry approval.